Spring brings out the golf bug and no one has been bitten harder than Brynn Winter. Ernie Els is responsible for that.

Winter, a 14-year-old teen from Marrero who is moderately autistic, didn’t care at all about the game until she met Els at a golf clinic at TPC Louisiana the week of the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April.

She preferred to stay inside, working on the computer, and didn’t care for sports much.

But Els, a four-time major winner and World Golf Hall of Famer, changed that. He worked with Winter extensively at the clinic for autistic children that day and now she can’t get enough.

She’s become so enthralled with golf that her mother, Torie Tierney-Winter, had to buy her a golf glove and golf shoes because she wants to look just like Els.

“Tuesday (April 22) was the golf clinic,’’ Torie said. “Wednesday I couldn’t get her to stop talking about it.

“She never hit a ball and is not very outdoorsy. Doesn’t like the sports thing a whole lot. Being that she took to it so well, I was pretty surprised.’’

Ernie Els poses with Brynn Winter during a instructional clinic at the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.From Torie Tierney-Winter

Since the clinic, Brynn begs Torie daily to take her to the driving range to bang balls with her 8-iron. Torie, who used to work at a golf course, said she’s even rekindled her love for the game and practices with Brynn.

“What happened between her and Ernie was miraculous,’’ Torie said. “It may not sound like much but, believe me, it’s huge. I believe more parents of special needs children need to know what golf can do. I never dreamed that my child would want to start playing this sport.’’

That’s exactly what Els and his foundation, Els for Autism, is aiming for. Foundation director Mary Kay Willson said Els, playing at The Players Championship this week in Ponte Verda Beach, Fla., was touched by Brynn.

“Ernie was very appreciative for Brynn and her mom to take the time to come and enjoy the clinic,’’ Willson said. “Her energy is wonderful and she can melt you with her smile. She made a big impact on him.’’

It’s easy to understand why. Els’ 11-year-old son, Ben, has autism. He and his wife, Liezl, founded Els For Autism in 2009. They’ve been working to educate the public and help autistic children and young adults in tangible ways.

The foundation will open the Els Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Fla., next year. It’s a learning center for children and young adults, ages 3-21, which will feature educational programs, research, medical and professional services. It will also house athletic facilities, including golf.

Byrnn has already asked Torie if they could move there next year.

Els knows from first-hand experience that autistic children can be pushed inside and discouraged from taking part in sports. Among his goals is to get them involved in physical activity. Brynn is a perfect example, Willson said.

The Els For Autism foundation is one of many supported by Fore!Kids Foundation, the organization that runs the Zurich Classic and helps raise money for many different charities. Brynn attends St. Michael Special School in New Orleans, which is supported in part by a $100,000 annual gift from Fore!Kids. The Zurich’s annual PGA Tour Wives Association event was held there the last two years.

Brynn got the invitation to attend the clinic through her school.

Ernie Els helps Brynn Winter work on her swing during a clinic at the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.From Torie Tierney-Winter

It’s not the first time Els, who holds Els For Autism clinics at tournaments throughout the PGA Tour season, has made a connection like this.

Torie said Els’ interaction with Brynn helped her open up.

“Ernie was so one on one,’’ Torie said. “A lot of autistic children, they can be moody, they don’t want to be touched. They don’t want to make eye contact. She’s very different. She’s soft-hearted. She doesn’t mind being hugged. She’s really good with that.

“Ernie actually bear-hugged her and was helping with her swing. Not all the kids would be okay with that. It was a great moment. It did something to her.’’

After the clinic, Els began practice that Tuesday in preparation for the Zurich. He was hitting on the driving range and some of the children remained to watch him work.

As Els was beginning one his backswings on the range, Brynn ran out and hugged him.

“That meant a lot to him,’’ Willson said.

As the day ended, Els asked Brynn and Torie if they’d be coming to the tournament that week. Torie said no but Els set them up with tickets for the entire week.

The two walked with Els, who played with Justin Rose and David Toms, on Thursday and Friday. He failed to make the cut, “which was a bummer,’’ Torie said.

But as Els was in the middle of his Thursday-Friday rounds, he paid special attention to Brynn, Torie said.

Brynn Winter works on her swing at the driving range. Winter has fallen in love with the game after being introduced by Ernie Els.Trey Iles/NOLA.com

“I understand most golfers are very serious they can’t be chit-chatting with everybody,’’ Torie said. “But here’s Ernie on the tee box giving her a hug, giving her a ball, saying, ‘Hey Brynn, what’s up buddy?’ Talking to her on the tee box. It made it more personal for her. If he hadn’t been as engaging as he was, maybe it wouldn’t have been as fun for her.’’

Brynn’s swing is developing and Torie said it will take some time. But she said, eventually, she’d like for the two to be able to at least play nine holes.

“When she came out here for the first time and hit balls, I couldn’t believe how hard she was smacking the ball,’’ Torie said. “We were by ourselves, not a lot of people around, so she wasn’t nervous. To hit the ball for the first time, it was really incredible.’’

Now Brynn has that look of someone who has fallen head-over-heels with the game of golf, Torie said. She said it certainly has made a positive impact on Brynn’s life.